Blue Links: Gerso, Injury Updates, Sauerbrunn, Ibrahimovic, Video Highlights

It’s time for another installment of Blue Links to catch you up on all things Kansas City soccer related. Before we get to that, get caught up on the news around the sight over the last couple days:

• Rumor: Erik Palmer-Brown has been linked to Paris Saint Germain
• Former SKC left back Amadou Dia joined Phoenix Rising in USL
• SKC will be active in the summer transfer window per Vermes
• Week 14 Power Rankings
• 2017 All-Star Voting from the TBT Staff

Gerso Sets a Record

Gerso Fernandes, Sporting Kansas City’s new Designated Player for 2017, set a career high in goals scored yesterday. He bagged his sixth goal (all at Sporting Park Children’s Mercy Park) and the season isn’t even half over. His best season previously had only five goals scored. Peter Vermes promised Gerso would score goals despite his past and it seems that has come to fruition. Be sure to check out the goal below (and the beautiful pass from Ilie Sanchez).

Sporting KC Injury Updates

Yesterday the club released an update to their injury list. Only one player, Erik Palmer-Brown, was listed as out. It would become obviously that all three questionable players were available when SKC put out their lineup for the game against the Montreal Impact.

Kevin Ellis and Roger Espinoza started despite being on the report (and despite Espinoza pulling out of international duty with Honduras). But perhaps the biggest news is that Diego Rubio, who tore his ACL late last season, made it into the 18. He didn’t get onto the field but it brings up the question if he is ready for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game on Wednesday so Dom Dwyer can prepare for the weekend. [Side Note: The only player on the Impact’s report as out was Matteo Mancosu, who subbed on and scored the game tying goal.]

Latif Blessing was the only new player on the injury report showing up with a hip injury, that we reported on in our preview. He ultimately was not in the 18 which is a shame because he’s played pretty good recently.

Sauerbrunn with the Assist

The United States Women’s National Team played another friendly today as they met Norway. The US were able to pull out another victory on the back of a Christen Press goal that was assisted by Becky Sauerbrunn from FC Kansas City. Check it out for yourself:

Sporting KC v Montreal Impact Highlights

I’m not sure you want to watch again, but here are the highlights from last nights match. Sporting definitely had the majority of the chances and possession (duh) but they just couldn’t find a second goal. Also, Tim Melia had a world class save against Ignacio Piatti to ultimately preserve a draw.

For his part, Soni Mustivar took the blame for giving the win away.

“My pass wasn’t good enough. It was slow. I take responsibility for the goal, of course.”

Behind the Shield: #SKCvMIN

On a happier note, Sporting crushed Minnesota United last weekend. Go Behind the Shield for the victory.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Could be Coming to America

Word out of England is that Ibra could be coming to the LA Galaxy for the 2018 season. After suffering a serious injury Manchester United decided not to retain the striker. This news comes on the heels of the news that Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez may not be joining LAFC as previously thought. I personally think no amount of money will stop Los Angeles Football Club from bringing in the huge Mexico star for their debut season.

Youth Development in the United States

MLSsoccer.com has a nice piece on how Sporting Kansas City remain so successful. One example is how they get players to move to KC to be a part of their academy since they don’t have the ability to spend millions on transfer fees and salaries. It will be intriguing to see if Vermes can achieve his dream of fielding a lineup of all Homegrown players one day.

This video below isn’t Sporting or even Kansas City specific, but it is a look into how Academy’s are evolving in the US. The future looks bright, even if these programs are still in their infancy.

Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal — The Malaysian Messi

To be clear, I’m not comparing Kamal to Messi, his country is. Kamal is an example of SKC recruiting outside their Homegrown territory (Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma) to bring players like him into their academy and potentially their club. He isn’t the only one but he’s a name to watch out for.

Corner Kicks (more links you need in your life)

• Ike Opara makes the list of who is having a breakout season.
• Cameron Porter has two jobs and one is as a software engineer.
• An interview with Yael Averbuch.